This Article is From Mar 03, 2015

Why This Former Karnataka Law Minister Removed The 'Red Beacon' From His Car

Why This Former Karnataka Law Minister Removed The 'Red Beacon' From His Car

Suresh Kumar is a four-time MLA from Rajajinagar in Bengaluru city. In Karnataka, this man made it to the list of potential chief ministers when the BJP was forming a government in that state. He finally became law minister. So why are we talking about him?

Not many ministers are willing to travel in cars that don't have red beacons on them. Mr Kumar says he removed the beacon from his car. "When I was  minister, I consciously got the beacon removed from my car. Because many a time I have seen these beacon lights in those cars they have become centers of jokes and derision. Generally people don't like, don't tolerate this pomp and exhibition. But unfortunately our political leaders they do not know that," he said.

The former minister said "feel that by resorting to such a show of their power and arrogance, they will be recognized. Their identity will be asserted. Ultimately what I feel is this VIP culture will make them a different sort of VIP. The Very Important Person, if he continues this way, will become a very insignificant person."

"You may say I am incapable of imbibing those qualities," Mr Kumar told NDTV which has been campaigning against the VIP culture in the country.

"I may be a VIP - Very Involving Person," he added in another quip.

He said he believed that things are changing for the better. "Of late, I am seeing the right direction in our behaviour. The media is showing us things in black and white," he said, adding, "the results in various elections have taught political leaders that pomp will not pay. People like those politicians who are like them. Yes, Aam Aadmi Party has come to power in Delhi, but there are many aam aadmis in politics too."

When Mr Kumar's  friend asked him what his one standout achievement was, the 62-year-old said, "Even after years, I have remained myself."

Mr Kumar, who joined the RSS at a very young, said, "I am very proud of the RSS. I joined the RSS at a very young age, so knowingly or unknowingly these qualities have become a part of my life and attitude."

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